Business Notes: Thursday, May 7

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. said this week that it plans to hire 30 to 35 agents in Lexington as part of a national campaign to hire 2,000 workers. MassMutual, as it's commonly called, offers life insurance and financial planning assistance. Spokesman Staasi Heropoulos said agents typically earn between $40,000 and $60,000 in their first few years as they build a client base. For information on applying, go to www.massmutualcareers.com.

Businesses warned of scam

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Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson warned businesses on Wednesday of a potential scam that is circulating in Ohio and Indiana. Businesses there are being mailed letters that claim they are required by law to submit an "Annual Minutes Disclosure Statement," as well as processing fees of $125 or $150. Grayson's office said businesses might mistake the scam for a real letter because they are required by law to register with the secretary of state's office and file annual reports. Anyone who thinks he has been a victim of the scam may call the attorney general's office at 1-888-432-9257.

KU changes account numbers

Kentucky Utilities has changed its customer account numbers as part of a technology shift at the electricity provider. Spokesman Cliff Feltham said the previous information system, which was 20 years old, was replaced last month with one that allows it to share information with LG&E, which also is owned by KU's parent company E.ON U.S. "Now with the changeover, anybody anywhere as a customer service representative can take care of both KU and LG&E," Feltham said. The company has customer-support call centers in Lexington, Louisville and Pineville. For customer service, call 1-800-981-0600.

Gatton students start journal

Undergraduate students at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics have launched a publication to highlight research that they conduct. The inaugural issue of Gatton Student Research Publication, which is subject to student review, is available at www.gatton.uky.edu/GSRP.

National

Amazon unveils new Kindle

Amazon.com unveiled a larger version of its Kindle electronic reading device on Wednesday. The device, which costs $489, has a gray-scale screen that is 9.7 inches on the diagonal, up from 6 inches on the regular Kindle. It's geared toward periodicals and textbooks, and Amazon.com announced that three textbook publishers have agreed to sell books on the device.